Once Discovery reaches 62 miles above Earth, Fuglesang will become the
first Swede in space, a title he has been working toward since 1992
when he joined the European Space Agency. Along with Germany's Thomas
Reiter, he was selected for a joint mission between Europe and Russia
in 1995 but ended up being part of the back-up crew.

"I realize there is a lot of interest in Sweden and I'm happy about
that," he said.

Fuglesang received a master's degree in engineering physics from the
Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm. He earned a doctorate in
experimental particle physics from the University of Stockholm and
later became a docent in particle physics at the university.

He joined the astronaut corps in 1996 and then went on to train on a
Russian Soyuz spacecraft, earning a certificate that would allow him to
command a Soyuz during a return trip to Earth.

During Discovery's mission, he will conduct the first two spacewalks
with Curbeam.

A former Swedish national Frisbee champion, Fuglesang plans to bring a
Frisbee up to space. During a live satellite link-up with children on
Earth, he'll try to set the record for maximum time aloft. Of course,
he'll get an assist from zero gravity.

Share This Page

Welcome to Velocity Reviews!

Welcome to the Velocity Reviews, the place to come for the latest tech news and reviews.

Please join our friendly community by clicking the button below - it only takes a few seconds and is totally free. You'll be able to chat with other enthusiasts and get tech help from other members.
Sign up now!